https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cholesterol/about-cholesterol/
Mar 13, 2026 · Cholesterol is a waxy substance your body uses to build cells and to make hormones. Your body needs some cholesterol, but having too much in your blood increases the risk of heart disease and stroke.
https://www.healthline.com/health/high-cholesterol/levels-by-age
Apr 25, 2025 · We explain what healthy cholesterol levels are for adults and children. Also, learn about lifestyle changes and medications to help lower your cholesterol.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cholesterol
Cholesterol is the principal sterol of all animals, distributed in body tissues, especially the brain and spinal cord, and in animal fats and oils. [3][4] Cholesterol is biosynthesized by all animal cells [5] and is an essential structural and signaling component of animal cell membranes. In vertebrates, hepatic cells typically produce the greatest amounts. In the brain, astrocytes produce ...
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/symptoms-causes/syc-20350800
Mar 7, 2025 · Overview Cholesterol is a waxy substance found in the blood. The body needs cholesterol to build healthy cells. But high levels of cholesterol can raise the risk of heart disease. With high cholesterol, fats and other substances can build up in blood vessels called arteries. This buildup is called plaque. As more plaque forms over time, the arteries can become narrowed or clogged. That makes ...
https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cholesterol
Cholesterol is a waxy substance found throughout your body. Your body makes all the cholesterol it needs for important jobs, such as helping to build cells and to make certain hormones. When cholesterol is too high, it can put you at a higher risk of heart disease or stroke.
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/11920-cholesterol-numbers-what-do-they-mean
Oct 13, 2025 · Why are my cholesterol numbers important? Your cholesterol levels are important because they help you know your risk for heart disease. Cholesterol is a type of lipid (fat) that helps your body perform many important functions. But too much cholesterol in your blood is harmful. It can enter your artery wall, weaken it and lead to atherosclerotic plaque (hardened deposits) forming.
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/high-cholesterol/
Find out what cholesterol is, what causes high cholesterol, why it's important to keep your cholesterol levels under control, and how to lower your cholesterol.
https://www.cdc.gov/cholesterol/about/index.html
May 15, 2024 · The combination of high levels of triglycerides with either low HDL cholesterol or high LDL cholesterol levels can increase your risk for heart attack and stroke. Total cholesterol, the total amount of cholesterol in your blood based on your HDL, LDL, and triglycerides numbers. Learn more about LDL and HDL cholesterol and triglycerides.
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/high-cholesterol/cholesterol-levels/
What your cholesterol levels should be What is a good target level for you depends on things like your age, whether you have any health conditions and your risk of cardiovascular disease. These levels are a guide for healthy adults. If you have been ill, are taking some medicines, or have recently had a baby, your levels may be lower or higher.
https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/your-cholesterol-numbers-the-good-the-bad-the-triglycerides
Mar 16, 2026 · But what about your “good” cholesterol and “bad” cholesterol numbers? And why should you care about your triglycerides? Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that circulates in the blood. While a certain amount of it is normal, too much raises the risk of cardiovascular disease.
